Man charged over Suvi

A 33-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Finnish student Suvi Aronen.

He is also charged with the assault and attempted robbery of a woman, 44, assaulting an 80-year-old woman and robbing a 56-year-old woman.

Jobless Jason Dockrill, of West Road, Stratford, is due to appear before magistrates in Redbridge today to face the charges.

Miss Aronen died on Thursday afternoon. Her body was found in undergrowth in Wanstead on Friday. All the other offences are alleged to have taken place on the same day.

Ms Aronen, 23, was sexually assaulted and battered in a ferocious attack. Her mother, Sirpa Aronen, rang from Finland at the exact time of the attack to hear her daughter shouting: "Get off, don't hurt me," before the line went dead.

The student's father, Jorma, spoke briefly today of the family's devastation, from his home in Tampere, Finland. He said: "It's like a nightmare. The police have been helping us to cope but it's dreadful."

Miss Aronen lived with Keith and Ruth Farnfield during her stay in this country. Mrs Farnfield also overheard muffled voices and cries when she called the student on her mobile after receiving a panicked call from her mother in Finland.

Mr Farnfield said: "Suvi lived with us as a member of the family since June. She was a lovely girl, very gentle and polite. We are deeply saddened and wish her family in Finland every strength to get through this."